Device for use in practicing strokes in the game of golf



Dec. 2,1924. 1,517,895

S. F ELY DEVICE FOR USE IN PRACTI CING STROKES IN THE GAME OF GOLF Fild Jan. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-She t 1 s. F. ELY

DEVICE FOR USE IN PRAGTICING STROKES IN THE GAME OF GOLF Filed Jan. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

ifiimtti JJNEIE@ STATES PATENT OFFEQE,

SIDNEY FREDERICK ELY, 01E LONDON, ENGLAND.

DEVICE FOR USE IN PRACTICING STROKES IN THE GAME OF GOLF.

Application filed January 23, 1924. Serial No. 687,919.

dicate to the person using the device whether he has moved his head in making the stroke, and if so, in what direction and to what extent.

According to this invention two pointers or indicating fingers are arranged to be operable by flexible connections from the head or neck of the user, and a catch adapted to be actuated in the course of the stroke at the moment the ball is struck or assumed tobe struck causes these pointers to be retained in the positions they occupy at that moment. Another catch or trigger may be provided to release the pointers or their connections and allow them to be returned by gravity or otherwise to their normal and correct positions.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect the same will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents in front elevation a device exemplifying the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation.

Figure 3 is an inverted plan showing the underside of the base or platform of the de-' vice represented in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail showing in side elevation parts of the said device hereinafter described.

Figure 5 shows the shape of a piece of stamped metal from which one of the pointers is formed.

On the base or platform'A is secured a standard or upright member B, which may either be made in one piece suitably slotted, or consist of two long and two short bars or laths b, 5 b o with small intervening spaces. At the upper extremity of the member B is secured a cross-bar O, on an enlarged central part c of which are mounted two differential winding drums or magnifying pulleys D, E, see Figures 2 and 4:.

On a vertical rod F at the back of the member B a pointer G can slide freely, this pointer being connected with the drum D by a cord 9 which may pass through a hole in the outer or larger groove (13 of the said drum into a recessed portion of the outer surface of the drum and be there secured by knotting or other suitable means, so that rotation of the drum D causes the cord 9 to be Wound thereon, and consequently causes lifting of the pointer G on the rod F. The'pointer G may be of any suitable construction, but in the example illustrated it comprises two flanges g appearing at the front of the member B the latter flange being provided with a finger g, and a back cut away to form three partial rings or eye-- lets 9 g and 9 two of which embrace the rod F, while the eyelet g is turned outwardly and back again to facilitate the securing thereto of the cord g. A thin metal plate may be cut or stamped out to the shape shown in Figure 5, folded centrally about the rod F, and the two flanges bent apart along the dotted lines seen in the said figure. On a similar vertical rod H is a similar pointer J similarly connected by a cord j with the drum E and operated in like manner. A cord K is connected at its end with the drum D and is normally wound for a few turns on the inner groove d of the said drum, which is of smaller diameter than the outer groove ti, so that the winding on or off the drum of a certain length of the cord K, with rotation of the drum, involves a converse winding off or on of a greater length of the cord g. A similar cord M issimilarly connected with the drum E and operates in like manner. The cords K and M are taken round carrier pulleys 7c and m at the ends of the crossbar O, suitable guide pins 70 and m being provided to prevent the cords from slipping oifthe said pulleys, and these cords are knotted together or otherwise united at a suitable distance in front of the member B, a prolongation of one of the said cords carrying a. clip N adapted to be secured to the brim of a hat or the neb of a cap. The cords may how ever be arranged to be looped around the neck of the user, or to carry a plug adapted to be held between his teeth, or equivalent devices may be employed forensuring that when the user has taken his stand in front of the device with his head in the correct position, there is no slackness in the cords K and ill, and the pointers G and J are at their lowest position on the member B and at the foot of a scale 6'' marked on the front of the said member. Now if in making his stroke the user moves his head to the left hand side, the cord M will be pulled and will cause a movement of rotation of the drum E and lifting of the pointer J up the scale to a greater extent than that oi? the movement of the cord M. Conversely, movement or the head to the right hand side will cause through the cord K, drun'i D, and cord 9 a magnified lifting of the pointer while a lifting or the head, drawing outv both the cords K and El, causes both the pointers J and G to rise.

In order to prevent the pointers from returning by gravity to their lowest positions after they have been litter, the following mechanism provided z ln the base or platform Jr is slot 6, and on the underside of the said platitorm is secured a rod (4 {Figure on which is pivoted a l. l A. spring 27 bears on one end of the trigl? and tends to press it into an inclined position so that its other end projects up through the slot On the underside of the trigger P is a ("lat spring p which engages one end 1" ot a cranked lever B adapted to rock in bearings r on the underside of the platform A. On the front of the standard B is a rod S which is bent forward to form a trigger s. Pivotally connected with the foot of this rod S is a plate pivoted to the standard B at 5-, this plate .9 being cut away to term a or catch 5 which can rest on top of the upturned arm W of the lever B. The upper end of this rod S forms an eye by which the said rod is connected with a cranked frame T which is adapted to rock in bearings 2 t on the back of the standard B. When the catch 5 rests on the arm i= the arms i of the frame T do not ofi'er any obstruction to the free movement in either direction of the cords g and j respectively, but if the lever B has been rocked in such manner as to re move the arm 1" from under the catch 8 the consequent fall of the rod causes the eye 8 to rock the frame T and cause the arms t '6 thereof to grip the cords g and 7" against the short cross piece 6 on the back of the standard B, and thus bring the said cords and the pointers G and J to rest.

The Word Ball or a circle indicating the position which the golf ball is to be supposed to occupy may be marked on the platy i P. hen player swings his club to strike the imagirary ball and then strikes the trigger l as to rock the lever B, the catch a is thereby set free to fall so that the arms of the frame T hold the cords g, j and therehy the pointers G and J in the position they occupy at that moment. Now it the stroke has been correctly made without moving the head, he pointers will remain at the bottom of the scale 2 but it one or both of the pointers have been moved they will indicate the ainonnt oi the error. A. player form A close to the will t us be enabled gauge the extent of his nits in swinmng the club, with regard to "tire required immobility of the head, and to not his progress in overcoming such faults. The trigger s can be lifted by a touch witli the golf club or the hand or toot oi the player and released to allow the catch a to fall again on top of the arm T, when the cords y and 5/" are set free and the pointers Sr and 3 it they have been raised, descend to the foot of the scale 7W ready for the next stroke.

W hat 1 claim ant desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. n an indicating device for the pur poses specified, a standard, two pointers vertically slidable on the said standard and adapted to descend by gravity, flexible connections adapted to lift said pointers and operable by movement of the head of the user, means for engaging said c mucctions to prevent the descent of said pointers, a catch normally holding said. engaging means out of action, a striking member, and operative connections between said member and said catch to release said catch.

2. in an indicating device for the purposes specified, a standard, two pointers vertical ly slidable on the said standard and adapted to descend by gravity, flexible connections adapted to lift said pointers and operable by movement of the head of the user, a cranked frame for engaging said connections to prevent the descent of said pointers, a vertically movable rod connected with said cranked frame and adapted to fall by gravity to operate said frame, an arm normally supporting said rod, a striking member, operative connections between said member and said arm to remove said arm from under said rod, and means for reinstating said rod in its normal position.

SIDNEY FREDERICK EL 

